Day trippin' to Bilugyun

Every once in a while we would sign up for a tour, this usually ends up being a very bad idea, which we regret hours later. Then again, sometimes we would be pleasantly surprised. This trip I would say ended up in the latter category. We set out by boat to the large Bilugyun Island just off of Mawlamyine. The boat ride over was pretty standard traveling, packed to brim with locals and their goods. All of it being carried on and off the boat on top of their heads. 

​This tour initially took us on a quick truck ride around the island stopping off for scenic views and flower necklaces, which were made by our driver. We had three major stops, a rubber factory, a cane carver and something else I don't quite remember. The first stop was actually pretty interesting. I've never actually seen rubber being made before, and the final product was colorful rubber bands. Our second stop was to a guys house where he carved intricate walking canes. They were quite lovely but over our price range so we left rather quickly. 

​While we waited for our boat back, we snacked on some local grub and drank some sugar cane from the lovely lady photographed below. The tall white dude was our buddy Sam from England, a fun bloke that we hung out with off and on for a few days while traveling through southern Burma. (Not actually southern Burma, but close enough; farther south was off limits to tourists due to fighting). I can't say my post actually makes this tour sound like fun, and to be honest, it was nothing special, but the Burmese people are always smiling and so welcoming it is hard not to love anything you do in this country.